TEN-MAN FULL FORM OPENING(11/15/2015)
This is an optional full form opening for use by Commanderies which because of size are unable to open in full form with lines. The hour for opening having arrived, the Officers in Uniformwill assemble in the approximate center of the Asylum:
1. Commander EC / 6. Prelate EP2. Generalissimo G / 7. Standard Bearer StB
3. Captain General CG / 8. Sword Bearer SwB
4. Senior Warden SW / 9. Warder W
5. Junior Warden JW / 10. Sentinel Sen
The first nine officers listed are required to open the Commandery.
The Sentinel is “virtual” if only nine Sir Knights are present. The Sentinel station must be filled when 10 or more are present.
The Color Bearer (CB) station may be filled only when eleven or more are present. The Color Bearer is the only officer not listed who may participate in the ten-man opening, and will work with the Standard Bearer, either mirroring or copying his movements as instructed.
The Prelate, Standard Bearer, and Color Bearer do not carry swords. Other officers may take their stations if 11 or more are present, but do not participate in the ten-man opening.
COMMANDER:“Sir Knight Captain General,”(s)(S),“see that the Asylum is in suitable array for my reception.”(s)(S) “Sir Knights Generalissimo and Excellent Prelate,”(s)(s)(S),“accompany me to my apartment.”(s)(s)(S). Prelate bowsif robed, hand salutes in uniform. The ECand Gsecure swords before moving, then take a direct route to the Preparation Room; EC leads with the Gright behind himand the EP on left of G.
The CG moves to his station and the other Officers move to a position to take their stations
as determined by the individual Commanderies.After EC, G and EP have retired:
CAPTAIN GENERAL:“Sir Knight Warder,”(s)(S)“Sound the Assembly.”(s)(S)
W secures sword and moves to Sen door, makes at least one call outside the Asylum. All Knights not in the Asylum should enter and remain standing on sidelines; those seated will rise.
WARDER:“Sir Knights, Assemble! Sir Knights, Assemble! Sir Knights, Assemble!”
The officer lineupin the west may be JW, W, StB, CB, SwB, SWin order.
CAPTAIN GENERAL:"Officers take your stations. Sir Knights, be seated."
Officersmarch north single file, one pace out from west chairs, halt, and right face together.Wardensadvance to their stations stopping one pace in front of their chairs. All officers step backward two half-steps starting with the left, bring feet together and are seated on command.CG draws sword and continues:
"SirKnight Senior Warden,”SW rises, takes one step out from chair, draws sword, comes to carry, salutes.(†)(†) “are all present Knights Templar?” (†)(†)
SW salutes, faces north, and calls on the Junior Warden.
SENIOR WARDEN:“Sir Knight Junior Warden”, JW rises, takes one step out from chair, draws sword, comes to carry, faces SW, (†)(†)“are all in the North Knights Templar?” (†)(†) Wardens face east,march together to East line of Asylum, halt, about face and march to West line of Asylum, passing inside their chairs, andhalt.While moving west they check the sidelines and do not need to stay together. When both are in the west, they face inward together.
JUNIOR WARDEN: (†) “Sir Knight SeniorWarden, (†),all in the North areKnights Templar.” (†)(†)Wardens face east together, return to stations passing inside of and stopping one pace in front of their chairs, turn slightly to align themselves with the chairs.
SENIOR WARDEN: (†) “Sir Knight Captain General, (†), all present are Knights Templar.” (†)(†) Wardens return swords together, step backward one pace (two half-steps starting with the left), and are seatedtogether.
CAPTAIN GENERAL:“Sir Knight Warder”, W rises,takes one step out from chair, draws sword and comes to carry, (†)(†), “post the Sentinel, inform him that a Commandery of Knights Templar is about to be opened, and direct him to guard accordingly.” (†)(†)
W steps off with his left foot, moves east three paces, turns by right flank (pivots on the sole of the left foot), proceeds southplacing left foot directly in line with SwB chair, right flanks from this pointdirectly to the center of the Sen Door opening and proceeds into the Sentinel's Room.
WARDER:“Sir Knight Sentinel, (†)(†), a Commandery of Knights Templar is about to be opened. You are directed to guard accordingly.” (†)(†) W about faces, enters the Asylum, about faces, closes door with his left hand, gives alarm with sword???-???-???-?, remains facing the door until Sen returns the alarm, ???-???-???-?. Wabout faces and retraces his steps to his station, turning by left flank (pivots on the sole of the right foot), stopping one pace in front of his chair, about faces and salutes.
WARDER: (†) “Sir Knight Captain General, (†), the Sentinel is at his post and the Asylum is duly guarded.” (†)(†) W returns swordand is seated.
CAPTAIN GENERAL: “Sir Knight Senior Warden, SW rises, takes one step, draws sword &, comes to carry, faces CG(†)(†), form the lines for the reception of the Commander.” (†)(†)
SENIOR WARDEN:faces JW"Sir Knights in line, Attention; Draw, Swords, Fall In.”“SKs in line” are the JW and Standard Guard, who arise, take one step, and draw swords. On “Draw”, the StBturns to his left, secures Beau seant, turns back to his right, moves into his station and grounds, then carries on command “Swords”. CB (if present) mirrors movements of StB, securing and carrying the American Flag.JWfaces SW,Wardensmove forward and stop3 paces apart. SWright faces and addressesCG.
(†) “Sir Knight Captain General”, (†), “The lines are formed”. (†)(†)SW faces JW.
CAPTAIN GENERAL:“Sir Knights not in line, Attention; Sir Knights Draw, Swords. Sir Knight Warder, (†)(†), inform the Eminent Commander that theAsylum is in suitable array for his reception.” (†)(†)
Wleft faces, steps off directly toward the door opening, proceeds into theCommander's apartment, stops facingEC and salutes.
WARDER:(†) “Eminent Commander,(S), the Asylum is in suitable array for your reception.”
COMMANDER:“Sir Knight Warder, lead on.” (†)(S)
WARDER:about faces, moves directly to his station, announcing as he enters the Asylum
"The Eminent Commander approaches."Wstops in his station facing the StB, left faces.
As W left faces, CGcommands:
CAPTAIN GENERAL: "Present, Swords." SW, JW, and Sir Knights execute Present Swords.StB dips Beauseant, CG, SwB, W, and strap officers on sidelines execute an Officer’s Salute(Salute Swords). All HoldSalutes.
The EC, G(behind EC, both at secure swords) andEP (on left of G) enter the Asylum six paces behind W, turn south 2 paces in front of the Standard Guard, moving to the center of the Asylum;EC salutes the Beauseant,G and EP eyes right,ECturns left and moves through the lines to theEast. After passing between the Wardens,G andEPhasten to the left side of the EC so that all 3 arrive at the dais together, ascend dais together to their respective stations, halt, and about face. ECand G drop swords, then draw swords together.
COMMANDER:"Carry, Swords. Sir Knights not in line, Return, Swords; Be Seated"
“SKs not in line” includes EP, Treasurer, Recorder except when special instructions given.
W left faces, closes inner door and returns to his station. Officers do not return swords.
"Form the lines for rehearsal." CG and Gdescend dais together, then angle directly to their positions two paces east of and inline with the SW and JW, andfaceeach other.
At the same time, Wand SwBmarch directly to their positionstwo paces west of and in line with the SW and JW, and face each other.
CAPTAIN GENERAL:After all SK’s are in line “Standard Guard, Order Swords.”
StB grounds Beauseant, CB grounds American Flag.
CG Right Faces, (†): "Eminent Commander," (†) "The lines are formed." (†)(†) LeftFaces.G, JW, Wconstitute the First Division; CG, SW, SwBthe Second Division.
COMMANDER:from his station commands"First Division, communicate to the Second Divisionthe PWW, On Guard, Parry Four, Communicate," Done.
“On Guard, Second Division, communicate to the First Division the PPW, Parry Four, Position, Communicate," Done.
“OnGuard, First Division, Communicate to the Second Division the Immaculate Word. Carry, Swords; Sir Knights, Return, Swords”
“Divisions one pace forward, March; Sir Knights not in line, Attention.”
ECreturns sword.
“Sir Knights in line, Kneel; Carry left foot 24 inches to the rear and kneel on left knee if able, keeping the right foot in place; do not place hands on knees.
Un-Cover; Sir Knights in line, Deposit, Chapeau;” Sir Knights in line lay chapeaux on floor with left hands, crosses up and in line east to west.
“Interlace, Fingers.” First division crosses right arm over left.EC uncovers.
“Sir Knights, as your fingers are thus strongly interlaced, so should the hearts of all Knights Templar be firmly united in the bonds of friendship and brotherly love.”
EC extends right hand, fingers extended and joined, thumb alongside, palm down.
“Over this symbol of our faith,Communicate.” After Immaculate Word is given, the Second Division crossesright arm over left, fingers remaining interlaced, and responds. EC recovers.“Secure Chapeaux; Re-Cover; Sir Knights, Arise; Divisions, One Pace Backward, March”“Sir Knights not in line, Be Seated. Sir Knight Captain General,”CG facesEC (s)(S)“Form the Trianglepreparatory to our devotions." (s)(S)CG faces G.
CAPTAIN GENERAL: "Form Triangle, Officers Post"
SwB and W step backward one pace (two 15 inch half steps), and face east together.
SW and JWstand fast,but angle into triangle so that SW faces W and JW faces SwB.
CG andG advance one half pace and angle into triangle, in line with SW and JW.
StB (and CB if present) secure flags and move east intothe base of the triangle, centering betweenSwB and W. Whenthe triangle is formed, CG faces EC andhand sa1utes:
(s)"Eminent Commander, (S) the Triangle isformed." (s) (S)CGfaces left into triangle.
COMMANDER:"Excellent Prelate," EP rises, faces left, salutes (bows if robed) (s) (S), "Accompany me to theTriangle." (s) (S) EP faces west, they descend dais together and move totriangle. EP moves ahead to take his position in center of Triangle and about faces.
EC stops about five paces east of SwB and W to form apex of an equilateral triangle.
(EC should be about the same distance from SwB and W as they are from each other).
CG andSW,G and JW,adjustposition as necessary to align themselves between EC and SwB or EC and W, respectively. EC adjusts alignment if necessary to form a proper triangle.
"Sir Knights not in line, Attention. Sir Knights, to yourDevotions;Sir Knights at Triangle, kneel." Carry left foot 24 inches to the rear and kneel on left knee if able, keeping the right footin place; do not place hands on knees.
"Un-Cover" All uncover except StB, CB andEP if robed;StB and CB stand fast with flags grounded. "Excellent Prelate, (nod)(Nod) leadour Devotions." (nod)(Nod)
ECnods if kneeling, salutes if standing, uncovers following second exchange.
PRELATE:gives prayer concluding with the Lord's Prayer in which everyone participates.
“…. Our Father, which …. Amen”After prayer EC recovers, rises, and commands:
COMMANDER:"Re-cover; Sir Knights, arise. Sir Knights not in line, be seated."
All recover. Knights at Triangle arise and stand at attention, others seated on command.
"The Officers and Knights on the right of the Standard Bearer will constitute the First Division; those on the left of the Standard Bearer, the Second Division. Sir Knights, Attend to the Signs. The Penal Sign of a Knight Templar,give Sign.” Done.
“The Grand Sign and Words of a Knight Templar,Divisions, Right and Left, Oblique”;
G, JW, W half left face, CG, SW, SwB half right face;EC, EP, StB, CB stand fast.
Position; Give Sign;Give the Words; Attention; Front”.Signs aregiven in unison with the EP; StB and CB do not give signs. Resume original positions in triangle on “Front”.
COMMANDER:"Sir Knights, resume yourstations." Officers move in unison:
G and CG step back in linewith the EC, EC. G, and CG about face and stand fast as Prelate moves to the left side of the G(in 4 steps); then all four march east together, ascend the dais, and about face together.
SWand JWface each other, about face, and resume their stations (they stop one pace in front of and facing chairs,then about face).
StB and CB secure flags and, starting with the left foot,turn to the left and right respectively,arriving next to W and SwB on the right foot, continue marching West together directly to flag stands, halt and replace flags in stands, turn back to the right and left together, and step into stations one pace in front of their chairs.
SwB and Waboutface and, picking up the left step of StB, move to their stations (one pace in front of chairs), halt and immediately about face together.
With officers still standing in stations, EC commands:
“Sir Knights not in line, Attention. Sir Knights, join me in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of our country.” All face the flag in the east (no drawn swords).
“Hand Salute.” All repeat the Pledge together.EC comes to attention, faces front,continues“Attention; Front;Be Seated.” All SK’s are seated.
Opening continues with Rehearsal of Duties (page 105 in Grand Encampment Ritual).
COMMANDER:“Sir Knight Generalissimo”(†)(S)“Are you a Knight Templar?” …
There is no change to the Rehearsal of Duties or the ritual and floor work which follows through page 109to complete opening the Commandery.
The Rehearsal of Duties may be omitted in this opening, but the EC is encouraged to include it whenever possible to assist the officers in learning their ritual. If the Rehearsal of Duties is omitted, the G and CG will rise and draw swords when called on before saluting. All SKs including Officers will rise and draw swords when CG orders “Sir Knights, Attention; Draw, Swords”. The ECcontinueswith the following ritual(middle of page 108 in GE Ritual)
COMMANDER:“Sir Knight Generalissimo,” (†)(S)“It is my order that ______Commandery No. ____, be now opened for the dispatch of such business as may
regularly come before it, requiring all Knights present to govern themselves according to the sublime principles of this Magnanimous Order. This you will communicate to the Captain General and he to the Knights.” (†)(S)
GENERALISSIMO: “Sir Knight Captain General, CG rises, draws sword facing west, faces G and salutes. (†)(†) It is the order of the Commander that ______Commandery, Number __, be now opened for the dispatch of such business as may regularly come before it, requiring all Knights present to govern themselves according to the sublime principals of this Magnanimous Order. This you will communicate to the Knights.” (†)(†)CG and G both face west, Gstands fast until the CG addresses him.
CAPTAIN GENERAL: “Sir Knights, Attention; Draw, Swords. It is the order of the Commander that ______Commandery, Number __, be now opened for the dispatch of such business as may regularly come before it. Take due notice and govern yourselves according to the sublime principles of this Magnanimous Order. Present, Swords.” Officers come to an Officer’s Salute on "Present, Swords." All board Officers continue on from present to an Officer’s Salute (sword down.) CG turns and faces G.
(†)“Sir Knight Generalissimo”, G turnsand faces the CG, returns salute.
(†)“the order of the Commander has been executed.” (†)(†)
CG faces west, comes to an Officer's Salute at the same time that the G salutes the EC.
GENERALISSIMO:(†) “Eminent Commander, (S) Your order has been obeyed.” (†)(S)
G faces west and immediately comes to an Officer's Salute.
COMMANDER:Rises, draws sword, comes to position of Present and then Cross Swords,
“Inow declare ______Commandery Number __ opened in due form.”
comes back to position of Present and then Carry swords and commands:
“Sir Knights, Carry, Swords.”
PRELATE: Attends to the Bible without a command.
Unopened Bible has previously been placed on a pedestal in the Northeast area of the Asylum, so that when opened, the Bible can be read from the working floor. EP moves to the west side of the pedestal, opens the Bible to the XXVIII (28th)Chapter of the Gospel of St. Matthew, places a small black wooden passion cross on the right-hand page, the square and compasses on the left-hand page (arranged as in Master Mason degree), returns to his station, remains standing.
COMMANDER: “Sir Knight Warder, (†)(†), Inform the Sentinel and direct him to guard accordingly.” (†)(†)
WARDER: W proceeds to door by regular route, salutes the flag in transit, opens door, proceeds through door opening and addresses the Sentinel. “Sir Knight Sentinel, (†)(†), The Commandery is now open. Take due notice and guard accordingly.” (†)(†)